STEVEN D. SONENREICH

President/CEO,

Mount Sinai Medical Center

4300 Alton Road, Miami Beach 33141

(305) 674-2223

Education

B.A., State University of New York at Binghamton

M.B.A, with certification in health care administration, University of Miami

It’s no surprise that Steven D. Sonenreich believes effective leaders must have a passion for their work, with equal parts “a very strong work ethic and the courage to lead an important community organization to excellence.”

His CV reveals his commitment to his chosen career and how he’s helped shape the South Florida health care arena. Sonenreich was named to his current post in 2001, after previously holding the CEO title for five years at Miami’s Cedars Medical Center (now University of Miami Hospital). It was a homecoming of sorts, as Sonenreich spent the 20 previous years rising through the ranks at Mount Sinai, eventually serving as executive VP and COO at what became a 700-bed, not-for-profit teaching hospital.

During that time, he redefined the hospital executive role. He gained experience by initially working in the finance division, and later became the medical center’s first director of marketing and business development before becoming VP of hospital administration in 1986.

The character traits he admires more in himself and others: professional competency and pride, character and courage because that is what generates the respect needed to lead.

“Leadership is all about defining a vision, leading by example and having the courage of your convictions to do what is right to advance the mission of your organization,” he says. “In order to execute vision and mission, you must surround yourself with superb talent that has the skills and the character to execute strategy and plans.”

If ever he needs guidance or encouragement in his mission, Sonenreich only looks to the founding mission of the hospital. The founders of Mount Sinai Medical Center started the hospital in the late 1940s so Jewish physicians and other minorities would have a place to practice medicine free from discrimination.

“Their courage to do this inspires me to lead our organization and enhance our mission of high-quality care for our community, including those that are less fortunate,” he says.